________________
There are seven rows in the eleventh dome. The artistic presentations of elephants - horses, dramatic art, biographical episodes of Lord Neminath's marriage, ordainment etc. - and the figure of Rajul seated at the window, gladden the heart.
Also in the domes of the edifices eighteenth to twenty-sixth various aspects of art have been highlighted. Between the edifices twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh is situated the sprawling elephant stable. Here are ten very beautiful marble elephants. The statues of the builders of the temple and also their 'gurus' (teachers) are also installed here. In the edifices from 27 to 50 various kinds of scenes have been depicted. In the fiftieth dome, the artistic scene of a deep water reservoir has emerged.
On the right of the Loonwasahi Temple stands the Digambar Jain temple of Kunthunath. On descending down the steps there is a pillar of black stone known as 'Kumbh Stambh'. It was built in 1449 A.D. by Mewar's Maharana Kumbha. At this very place on the right amidst the trees the arcade (umbrella) of Yug Pradhan (The most prominent person of his era) Dada Shree Jindutt Suri has been built. The footprints of great miraculous and influential acharyas of Jainism, Dada Jindutt Suri and Jina Kushal Suri are kept here.
PEETLAHAR TEMPLE – This temple was built by Bheema Shah. Therefore, it is also called the Temple of Bheema Shah. The temple is supposed to have been built in 1374-89. It was renovated by Sundar and Gadaa of Gujarat. A 41-inch fine metal image of Lord Rishabhdev is installed in the temple. The 'parikar' (parameter) of five metals is eight times of 572 feet. Due to presence of excessive quantity of 'Peetal (brass) in this idol, this temple is also called Peetlahar Temple. This idol was consecrated in 1468 by the lotus hands of Acharya Lakshmi Sagar Suri. There are other huge marble idols of the Jina in the temples.
KHARTARWASAHI - PARSHWANATH TEMPLE - This temple built on the left side is sufficiently big. This temple was built by Shrawak Mandalik, follower of Khartargaccha. Therefore, it is called Khartar-wasahi Temple. Even in Palitana pilgrimage there is a huge Jina-temple named Khartar-wasahi. In this three-storeyed temple there are four idols of Lord Parshwanath facing the four directions. That is why it is also called Chaturmukh Temple. The consecration of this great temple was performed by the lotus-hands of Acharya Shree Jina Chandra Syri on Ashadh Krishna 1 in 1515 A.D.
The summit of the temple is really beautiful and at the same time the white-coloured idols of the principal deity Shree Parshwanath and their surroundings are very artistic. There are big auditoria on the four sides of the temple. On the external walls of the temple the aesthetic creations of the Digpals, Yakshinis, Sal Bhanjikas and women are fascinating in view of their emotional expressions
Loonwasahi Temple : Treasure of art
A portion of a pillar
60
nin Education Interational
For Pria Personal use only